MONTICELLO, NY — On August 15, the Standardbred horses strutted their stuff at Monticello Raceway, nicknamed the “Mighty M” in the world of harness racing.

The local half-mile track opened on June 27, 1958 and one of its most memorable moments was in 2006, when an event that was dubbed the “Monticello Miracle” occurred. A racehorse hit WWII veteran Don Karkos in the exact same spot where he was hit by shrapnel. That previous injury caused him to lose the sight in one eye in a naval battle aboard the USS Rapidan.

The blow at the raceway caused him to regain his sight, most likely by dislodging the fragment of shrapnel.

Over the decades, the Monticello Raceway has undergone many changes, but racing continues year-round during the day Mondays through Fridays, and the harness racing action is broadcast worldwide.

The “Mighty M” is honoring the memory of Geri Schwarz, the recently departed long-time track photographer at the Goshen Historic Track and Monticello Raceway, with the American flag flying at half-mast.

Proving that life goes on, sisters Barbara and Elizabeth Stubits have assumed the mantle of official track photographers at the local Standardbred facility.